I have been a caregiver at Long Island College Hospital for over 50 years, and I am urging the chancellor and Board of Trustees of the State University of New York to keep the doors of our beloved hospital open.

Everyday, my co-workers and I pour our hearts and souls into providing compassionate, high quality care to our community. LICH is a safety net hospital that provides vital healthcare services to over 100,000 people a year, including seniors, working families and vulnerable patient populations.

LICH is also one of the largest employers in the area, and a closure would destroy 2,000 good jobs and be a severe blow to our local economy. SUNY leadership should thoroughly explore all other options before even considering the possibility of closure, especially since the state’s Medicaid Redesign Team recommended that LICH stay open.

My union, 1199SEIU, is fully committed to working with SUNY leadership, elected officials and community groups to make sure this disastrous closure is avoided and we develop alternative solutions that keep LICH's crucial healthcare services and good jobs in our community.